by Jalen Martin '23
Name: Noah Tunis
Sport: Men's Squash
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
High School: Friends School of Baltimore
Favorite professional athlete: Mostafa Asal
Fun fact: Favorite flavor of Ben and Jerry's is Phish Food.
Why did you choose Haverford?
Haverford offered the perfect balance between academic rigor, an exciting student body, a beautiful campus, and the opportunity to play squash at the next level. Squash is my favorite thing in the world, and I am so grateful to have the chance to play in college.
What do you love most about the sport you play?
Squash balances intense physical exertion with strategy and mental sharpness over time. Often known as "Physical Chess", it is a game with infinite nuance. I love learning more about the philosophy of the game, and how to improve physically, mentally, tactically, and technically.
What is your favorite team experience?
Playing at home in the GIAC, and supporting one another through our matches with the added motivation of the crowd, is incredible. While nerve-wracking at first, home matches have become my favorite experiences and memories with the team.
Why did you choose to play a sport in college?
I love the game of squash, first and foremost, but also appreciate how it keeps me healthy, forces me to be disciplined with my time and energy, and helps me meet interesting people. Having a community like a team built into your life is helpful in a college setting, and no matter what a day holds, I know I always have practice to look forward to, and a team dinner afterward.
What are your thoughts on the Honor Code?
I find that it raises my own personal sense of integrity not just in the classroom, but everywhere in my life. Holding yourself to a standard no one else will is a skill that the Honor Code helps to teach, and one I think is really helpful and valuable.
What advice would you give a high school student considering Haverford?
If you are an athlete, take time to get to know the coaches, the players on your team, and the culture of the program. As a student, similar approaches will serve you well. Getting a sense of what professors are like, how administration functions, and, most importantly, what the culture and atmosphere of campus are like will give you a window into how you could fit and thrive at Haverford.